DE102017112737A1 - Method for producing arrangements of inflatable inner lining for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods of making inflatable interior trim assemblies for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, a method of making inflatable interior trim assemblies for a motor vehicle includes inserting a molding material into a mold having tooling surface. The mold material comes into contact with the first tool surface of the tool surfaces, which has a first tool surface temperature that is different than a second tool surface temperature. The mold is closed so that the tool surfaces define a substantially closed cavity in the mold. An inflatable liner is formed by rotating the molding tool to cover the tooling surface of the substantially closed cavity with the molding material. The inflatable interior trim includes a portion of an inflatable bladder and a portion of an outer trim that is integrally coupled to the portion of the inflatable bladder and that has a trim stiffness that is greater than the bladder stiffness of the portion of the inflatable bladder.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The technical field generally relates to the interior trim for motor vehicles, in particular the technical field relates to methods for producing arrangements of inflatable interior trim, such as inflatable knee bolsters or the like, for motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Automobile manufacturers prioritize the development and integration of automotive safety systems to help protect occupants during various collision types. The seat belt, which helps to secure the occupants in their seats, remains the primary safety device used by the automotive industry.

Additional safety devices, particularly inflatable restraint systems for occupants or airbag systems, are known to enhance the effectiveness of seat belts in protecting a vehicle occupant during a protection situation. The traditional frontal airbag is located on the steering wheel or on the instrument panel of the motor vehicle, thereby protecting the head, breast and pelvic areas of a front occupant during a sudden deceleration caused, for example, by an accident. However, during such an event, the abdomen of the occupant on the seat of the motor vehicle may slide forward especially if no seat belt has been applied by the occupant. It is known to provide a restraint system commonly referred to as "knee blocker" or "knee pad" to limit this type of movement.

In a knee pad device, in U.S. Patent 6,302,437 by Marriott, an interior exterior trim panel is cooperatively connected to an airbag that is inflatable by means of a gas source (eg, a gas inflator). During inflation of the airbag, the outer panel is moved toward the lower extremities of the occupant to help limit forward movement of the abdomen along the vehicle seat. The knee bolster apparatus can be formed, for example, by injection molding of the outer panel. The airbag is then coupled by means of an additional fastening and / or connecting operation by means of mechanical means with the outer lining. Unfortunately, such additional fastening and / or connecting operations, which may require, for example, additional parts such as connectors, clamps or the like and additional operations, robots and / or brackets for molding the device after injection molding or otherwise after forming the outer cover, are relative expensive and can include significant investments and / or operating costs.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 920,215, filed October 22, 2015; Applicant's Serial Number: 109-0030: entitled "Method of Making Inflatable Interior Trim Paneling for Automotive Vehicles," the disclosure of which is incorporated into this application for all purposes, describes methods of making inflatable interior trim panels, which methods include a portion of an inflatable bladder and provide a portion of an outer shell that is integrally coupled to the portion of the inflatable bladder, wherein trim panel stiffness is greater than a bladder stiffness of the portion of the inflatable bladder.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods of making inflatable vehicle interior trim devices for automobiles having improved manufacturing efficiency and / or reduced manufacturing costs. Furthermore, other advantageous features and characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

SUMMARY

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims; Further embodiments are part of the dependent claims. Here, methods are provided for making inflatable interior trim assemblies for motor vehicles. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of making inflatable interior trim assemblies for a motor vehicle includes inserting molding material into a mold having tool surfaces, but the method is not so limited. The mold material is first deposited over a tool surface associated with a first portion of the mold that is controlled to a first tool surface temperature with remaining tool surfaces maintained at a second tool surface temperature that is different than the first tool surface temperature. The mold is brought into a closed position, so that the tool surfaces form a substantially closed cavity in the mold. An inflatable interior trim is formed by rotating the mold to surround the tool surfaces of the substantially closed cavity with the mold Cover mold material. The inflatable interior trim includes a portion of the inflatable bladder and a portion of the outer trim that is integrally coupled to the portion of the inflatable bladder and that has trim panel stiffness that is greater than bladder stiffness of a portion of the inflatable bladder.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method of making an inflatable interior trim assembly for motor vehicles includes preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface such that the first tool surface has a temperature that is different than a temperature of the second tool surface. the method is not limited thereto. The method further includes introducing a molding material into the mold, the method not being limited thereto. Further, the method includes transferring the mold to a closed state such that the tool surfaces define a substantially closed cavity in the mold, the method being not limited thereto. Further, the method includes forming an inflatable liner by rotating the molding tool to cover the tooling surfaces of the substantially closed cavity with the molding material, but the method is not limited thereto. A portion of an outer panel is formed on the first tool surface, and a portion of the inflatable bladder is formed on the second tool surface, and the portion of the outer panel has a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the portion of the bladder and the portion of the outer panel is integral with the Coupled section of the inflatable bladder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments are hereby described in conjunction with the following figures of the drawing, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, wherein:

1 - 6 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of methods of manufacturing inflatable liner liners during various manufacturing steps in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG.

7 shows an inflatable interior trim in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the various embodiments or the application and uses thereof. In addition, it is not intended to be bound by any of the theories presented in the preceding background or the following description.

Various embodiments contemplated herein relate to methods of making inflatable interior trim assemblies for motor vehicles. The exemplary embodiments taught herein introduce mold material into a mold tool having tool surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the mold material is first deposited on a tool surface associated with a first part of the mold that is controlled to a first tool surface temperature while maintaining remaining tool surfaces at a second tool surface temperature that is different from the first tool surface temperature ,

The mold is transferred to a closed state so that the tool surfaces form a substantially closed cavity in the mold. In one example, the forming tool includes a first part and a second part which form mating mold parts and which are guided towards each other to reach the closed state. In the closed state, the tool surfaces are associated with the first part and the second part, respectively, and together form the substantially closed cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the mold is part of a rotary molding process and is rotated in the closed state to move at least a portion of the second mold material over the tool surfaces associated with the second part of the mold while at least a portion of the mold first mold material remains over the tool surfaces associated with the first part of the mold. In this way, the tool surfaces of the substantially closed cavity are co-operatively covered with the mold material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mold material is in a slurry phase prior to insertion into the mold, but may alternatively be in a liquid phase, a powdered phase, and / or melted. In a further alternative, the molding material may be a multi-component comprising, for example, a first molding material and a second molding material. In this case, the first mold material and the second mold material before and / or during the rotation of the mold independently in a muddy phase, a powdery Phase, a liquid phase and / or a molten state or combinations thereof, to facilitate the covering of the tool surfaces in the substantially closed cavity.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first tool surface is maintained at a first tool surface temperature such that a portion of the molding material is at least partially solidified as deposited on the first tool surface to form a first solidified molded material prior to further processing. The first molded material and the remaining mold material are sequentially solidified to form the complete inflatable inner liner to match the shape of the substantially closed cavity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the innerliner includes a portion of the outerliner that includes the first solidified molded material and a portion of the inflatable bladder that includes the remaining consolidated solidified material. The portion of the outer panel is integrally coupled to the portion of the inflatable bladder and is stiffer than the portion of the inflatable bladder. Advantageously, in an exemplary embodiment, the relatively more flexible (ie, less rigid) portion of the inflatable bladder allows the portion of the bladder to be effectively inflated by, for example, a gas inflator to accommodate the relatively firmer (ie, stiffer) portion of the outer trim during an accident event to move lower limbs of a vehicle occupant to help limit the movement of the abdomen of the occupant forward along the vehicle seat. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, advantageously, by simultaneously forming the portion of the outer panel and the portion of the inflatable bladder during the same rotary forming process, the portion of the outer panel and the portion of the inflatable bladder may be coupled together without the need for additional connection and / or attachment operations to increase manufacturing efficiency and / or reduce operating costs.

1 is a sectional view of a mold 10 manufactured in a rotary molding process (described in more detail below) for making an inflatable interior trim 12 (in 6 shown) of an inflatable interior trim arrangement 13 (shown in 7 ) is used in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The mold 10 includes mold parts 14 and 16 which can be moved relative to one another during the rotary molding process, as already known from the prior art. The mold parts 14 and 16 are a set of stamped parts, each one a first tool surface 18 and a second tool surface 20 to have. The tool surfaces 18 and 20 are accessible when the mold 10 , as in 1 shown in an open condition 22 is (ie the mold parts 14 and 16 are objectionable to one another) and define a substantially closed cavity 24 when the mold 10 is in a closed state, as in 3 shown (ie, the mold parts 14 and 16 are positioned in contact with each other).

Inside the tool part 14 and next to the first tool area 18 becomes the tool part 14 with a temperature bowl 15 educated. The temperature shell 15 may include a fluid circuit or portions of a fluid circuit (not shown) containing a heat transfer fluid (eg, water, air, oil, or the like) and communicating fluidly with a heating and / or cooling device (eg, a thermolator, a heat exchanger, or the like) for regulating the temperature of the first tool surface 18 connected is. In exemplary embodiments, the first tool surface 18 compared to the second tool surface 20 be cooled to be at a predefined temperature, which is below the temperature of the second tool surface 20 lies. In further example embodiments, the first tool surface may be relative to the second tool surface 20 be heated to be at a predefined temperature that is above the temperature of the second tool surface 20 lies. The temperature of the first tool surface that is lower or higher than the temperature of the second tool surface is selected in exemplary embodiments based on the molding material.

In another exemplary embodiment, the entire mold is 10 adapted to be heated and / or cooled as part of the rotary molding process around the second tool surface 20 to keep at a temperature different from that through the temperature shell 15 held temperature of the first tool surface 18 is. The mold parts 14 and 16 For example, they may independently comprise a fluid circuit or portions of a fluid circuit (not shown) containing a heat transfer fluid (eg, water, air, oil, or the like) fluidly communicating with a heating and / or cooling device (eg, a thermolator, a heat exchanger or the like) for regulating the temperature of the mold parts 14 and 16 are connected.

With reference to 2 becomes mold material 28 in a mold 10 and on the first tool surface 18 introduced. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used as molding material 28 suitable include polyurethanes, polyurethane prepolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO), polypropylenes, epoxy resins, epoxy urethane mixtures, combinations thereof, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the molding material comprises 28 a crosslinkable polymeric precursor such as polyester polyol (s), polyether polyol (s) or the like, and curing agents such as isocyanates (e.g., blocked or unblocked isocyanate (s)). In an exemplary embodiment, the molding material is 28 in a muddy form superimposed on the first tool surface 18 of the mold part 14 arranged. Advantageously, in an exemplary embodiment, using the molding material simplifies 28 in a muddy form on the first tool surface 18 the spatial adaptation of a part (not shown) of the molding material 28 to the first tool surface 18 and solidifying into a first solidified shaped material 32 , Alternatively, the molding material 18 in the liquid phase, solid phase or powder form superimposed on the first tool surface 18 of the mold part 14 be arranged.

According to 3 become the mold parts 14 and 16 each other in the closed state 26 moves and the tool surfaces 18 and 20 define the substantially closed cavity 24 , The procedure is as in the 4 and 5 shown by rotating the mold 10 as part of the rotary molding process to at least a second part of the molding material 28 on and / or over the tool area 20 of the mold part 16 to move around the second solidified molded material 34 to mold. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the molding material remains 28 (For example, either in the molten state or in crosslinked solid form as the first solidified molded material 32 ), which is the first solidified molded material 32 has formed on and / or over the tool surface 18 of the mold part 14 , In this way, the tool area 18 and 20 essentially completely covered by the mold material, which is the first solidified molded material 32 and as a second solidified molded material 34 is solidified.

In addition, and as described above, the mold parts 14 and 16 be designed for heating and / or cooling while the shell 15 is formed, the first tool surface 18 at a predetermined temperature relative to the rest of the tool parts 14 and 16 and / or the second tool surface 20 to keep. In an exemplary embodiment, the mold parts become 14 and 16 during the initial stages of rotating the mold 10 heated to a temperature of about 100 ° C to 200 ° C while the shell 15 the first tool area between 10 ° C to about 50 ° C colder than the second tool surface 20 holds. In an exemplary embodiment, the molding material is 28 a TPO in a muddy form and adapts when in contact with the first tool surface 18 to the first tool surface 18 on, being a part of the molding material 28 solidified. During the further stages of rotating the mold 10 can the mold parts 14 and 16 Next, be cooled to the mold material 28 to help solidify, while doing the inflatable interior lining 36 to mold. In an exemplary embodiment, the mold parts become 14 and 16 cooled to a temperature of about 20 ° C to 80 ° C. Alternatively, in an embodiment where the molding material is a thermosetting material, the molding material may be in liquid form during the initial stages of the tool's rotation 10 available. In this way, a first part of the molding material crosslinks 28 if the mold material 28 with the heated tool surfaces 18 and 20 comes into contact, and solidifies, around the inflatable interior lining 12 to mold. Optionally, in this embodiment, during the last stages of the tool's rotation 10 the mold parts 14 and 16 be cooled as described above.

As in 5 The first solidified molded materials are shown 32 and 34 to one of the tool surfaces 18 and 20 the substantially closed cavity 24 shaped and define the inflatable interior lining 12 , In particular, the inflatable interior lining comprises 12 a section of the inflatable bladder 38 that has a shape that goes to the tool faces 20 fits, and a section of the outer lining 40 , one to the tool surfaces 18 has matching shape, and which is integral with the portion of the inflatable bladder 38 is coupled. In an exemplary embodiment, the solidified molded material forms 32 the section of the outer lining 40 which is comparatively stiff or solid (for example, with a relatively high flexural modulus) and the solidified molded material 36 shapes the inflatable section of the bladder 38 which is relatively flexible (for example, with a relatively low flexural modulus) and has, for example, a relatively high elasticity. In this way, the section of the outer lining has 40 a stiffness of a trim piece that is greater than the bubble stiffness of the portion of the inflatable bladder 38 is. In an exemplary embodiment, the solidified molded material has 32 a flexural modulus of about 800 to about 1300 MPa or higher than 1300 MPa at 23 ° C and the solidified molded material 34 has a flexural modulus of about 1 to about 500 MPa and a maximum elongation of 25% to about 500% at 23 ° C.

The procedure continues as in 6 shown by moving away the mold parts 14 and 16 from each other in the open state 22 to the substantially closed cavity 24 open to the inflatable interior lining 12 from the mold 10 to remove. Regarding 7 becomes an opening 42 in the section of the inflatable bladder 38 by removing a part 44 the section of the inflatable bladder 38 formed. Next is an inflator 46 with the section of the inflatable bladder 38 by means of the opening 42 cooperatively coupled to the arrangement of inflatable interior trim 13 to shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the part becomes 44 from the section of the inflatable bladder 38 removed, using a punching operation or the like and wherein the inflator 46 cooperatively coupled with the portion of the inflatable bladder by means of a welding operation. In an exemplary embodiment, the inflator is 46 formed, gas for inflating the inflatable bladder section 38 to generate beneficial to the section of the outer lining 40 move toward the lower extremities of a vehicle occupant during an accident event to help limit forward movement of the abdomen of the occupant along the vehicle seat.

• 1. Ein Verfahren zum Herstellen einer aufblasbaren Anordnung von Innenverkleidungen für ein Kraftfahrzeug, wobei das Verfahren aufweist: Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, dass eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche hat, sodass die erste Werkzeugfläche auf eine Temperatur ist, die unterschiedlich zu der Temperatur der zweiten Werkzeugfläche ist; Einführen eines Form-Materials in das Formwerkzeug; Überführen des Formwerkzeugs in einen geschlossenen Zustand, sodass die Werkzeugflächen einen im Wesentlichen geschlossenen Hohlraum in dem Formwerkzeug definieren; und Ausformen einer aufblasbaren Innenverkleidung durch Rotieren des Formwerkzeugs, um die Werkzeugfläche des im Wesentlichen geschlossenen Hohlraum mit dem Form-Material zu bedecken, wobei an der ersten Werkzeugfläche ein Abschnitt der Außenverkleidung ausgeformt wird und an der zweiten Werkzeugfläche ein Abschnitt der aufblasbarer Blase ausgeformt wird und der Abschnitt der Außenverkleidung eine Steifheit aufweist, die größer als eine Blasenteil-Steifheit ist und der Abschnitt der Außenverkleidung integral mit dem Abschnitt der aufblasbaren Blase gekoppelt ist.
• 2. Das Verfahren des Beispiels 1, wobei das Einführen eines Form-Materials in das Formwerkzeug das Einführen des Form-Materials auf die erste Werkzeugfläche aufweist.
• 3. Das Verfahren nach Beispiel 1 oder 2, wobei das Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, das eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche hat, umfasst, dass die erste Werkzeugfläche an einer Temperatur liegt, die unterschiedlich zu einer Temperatur der zweiten Werkzeugfläche ist, und das Vorbereiten des Formwerkzeugs so aufweist, dass die erste Werkzeugfläche eine Temperatur umfasst, die kleiner als die Temperatur der zweiten Werkzeugfläche ist.
• 4. Das Verfahren der Beispiele 1, 2 oder 3, wobei das Ausformen einer aufblasbaren Innenverkleidung durch Rotieren des Formwerkzeugs zum Bedecken der Werkzeugflächen des im Wesentlichen geschlossenen Hohlraums mit dem Form-Material weiter aufweist ein Verfestigen eines Teils des Form-Materials an der ersten Werkzeugfläche vor dem Rotieren des Formwerkzeugs, um ein erstes verfestigtes geformtes Material zu formen.
• 5. Das Verfahren nach Beispiel 4, wobei das erste verfestigte geformte Material ein Biegemodul von etwa 800 bis etwa 1300 MPa oder mehr als 1300 MPa bei 23°C aufweist.
• 6. Das Verfahren nach Beispiel 4 oder 5, wobei der Abschnitt der Außenverkleidung das erste verfestigte geformte Material aufweist.
• 7. Das Verfahren nach Beispiel 1, 2 oder 3, wobei das Ausformen einer aufblasbaren Innenverkleidung durch Rotieren des Formwerkzeugs, um die Werkzeugflächen des im wesentlichen geschlossenen Hohlraums mit dem Form-Material zu bedecken, weiter aufweist, dass während des Rotierens des Formwerkzeugs ein Teil des Form-Materials an der zweiten Werkzeugfläche verfestigt wird, um ein zweites verfestigtes geformtes Material zu formen, dass ein Biegemodul von etwa 1 bis etwa 500 MPa bei 23°C aufweist.
• 8. Das Verfahren nach Beispiel 7, wobei das zweite verfestigte geformte Material eine Höchstdehnfähigkeit von etwa 25% bis etwa 500% bei 23° aufweist.
• 9. Das Verfahren nach Beispiel 7 oder 8, wobei der Abschnitt der aufblasbaren Blase das zweite verfestigte geformte Material aufweist.
• 10. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 9, wobei das Einführen des Form-Materials das Ablagern des Form-Materials als einen Schlamm aufweist.
• 11. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 9, wobei das Einführen des Form-Materials das Ablagern eines Form-Materials umfasst, das ein vernetzbares polymerisches Vorprodukt und einen Härter aufweist.
• 12. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 11, wobei das Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, das eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, umfasst, dass die erste Werkzeugfläche an einer Temperatur ist, die unterschiedlich zu einer Temperatur der zweiten Werkzeugfläche ist, und dass die erste Werkzeugfläche relativ zur zweiten Werkzeugfläche gekühlt wird.
• 13. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 11, wobei das Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, das eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, umfasst, dass die erste Werkzeugfläche an einer anderen Temperatur als die zweite Werkzeugfläche ist, und das die erste Werkzeugfläche relativ zu der zweiten Werkzeugfläche beheizt wird.
• 14. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 11, wobei das Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, das eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, umfasst, dass ein erstes Werkzeugteil, das die erste Werkzeugfläche aufweist, gekühlt wird, und dass ein zweites Werkzeugteil, das die zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, beheizt wird.
• 15. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 11, wobei das Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, das eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, umfasst, dass ein erstes Werkzeugteil, dass die erste Werkzeugfläche aufweist, und ein zweites Werkzeugteil, dass die zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, beheizt werden und die erste Werkzeugfläche gekühlt wird.
• 16. Das Verfahren nach einem der Beispiele 1 bis 11, wobei das Vorbereiten eines Formwerkzeugs, das eine erste Werkzeugfläche und eine zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, umfasst, dass ein erstes Werkzeugteil, dass erste Werkzeugfläche aufweist, und ein zweites Werkzeugteil, dass die zweite Werkzeugfläche aufweist, gekühlt werden, und dass die erste Werkzeugfläche beheizt wird.

Further, the following examples are provided, numbered for ease of reference:

• A method of making an inflatable interior trim panel for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface such that the first tool surface is at a temperature different from the temperature of the second Tool surface is; Inserting a mold material into the mold; Transferring the mold to a closed state such that the tool surfaces define a substantially closed cavity in the mold; and forming an inflatable liner by rotating the molding tool to cover the tooling surface of the substantially closed cavity with the molding material, forming a portion of the outer liner on the first tooling surface, and forming a portion of the inflatable bladder on the second tooling surface; the portion of the outer liner has a stiffness greater than a bladder stiffness and the portion of the outer liner is integrally coupled to the portion of the inflatable bladder.
• 2. The method of Example 1, wherein introducing a molding material into the mold comprises inserting the mold material onto the first tool surface.
• 3. The method of Example 1 or 2, wherein preparing a mold, having a first tool face and a second tool face, the first tool face being at a temperature different from a temperature of the second tool face and having the mold preparing so that the first tool face has a temperature less than the temperature of the second tool surface is.
• 4. The method of Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein forming an inflatable interior trim by rotating the mold to cover the mold surfaces of the substantially closed cavity with the mold material further comprises solidifying a portion of the mold material on the first mold surface prior to rotating the mold to form a first solidified shaped material.
• 5. The method of Example 4, wherein the first solidified shaped material has a flexural modulus of about 800 to about 1300 MPa or more than 1300 MPa at 23 ° C.
• 6. The method of Example 4 or 5, wherein the portion of the outer liner comprises the first solidified shaped material.
• 7. The method of Example 1, 2 or 3, wherein forming an inflatable interior trim by rotating the mold to cover the mold surfaces of the substantially closed cavity with the mold material further comprises, during the rotation of the mold, a part of the molding material is solidified on the second tool face to form a second solidified molded material having a flexural modulus of from about 1 to about 500 MPa at 23 ° C.
• 8. The method of Example 7, wherein the second consolidated molded material has a maximum elongation of from about 25% to about 500% at 23 °.
• 9. The method of Example 7 or 8, wherein the portion of the inflatable bladder comprises the second solidified shaped material.
• 10. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein introducing the molding material comprises depositing the molding material as a slurry.
• 11. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein introducing the molding material comprises depositing a molding material comprising a crosslinkable polymeric precursor and a curing agent.
• 12. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface comprises: the first tool surface being at a temperature different than a temperature of the second tool surface, and the first tool surface is cooled relative to the second tool surface.
• 13. The method of any one of Examples 1-11, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool face and a second tool face comprises the first tool face being at a different temperature than the second tool face, and the first tool face being relatively is heated to the second tool surface.
• 14. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface comprises cooling a first tool part having the first tool surface and a second tool part, which has the second tool surface, is heated.
• 15. The method of one of examples 1 to 11, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface comprises: a first tool part having the first tool surface and a second tool part including the second tool surface has heated, and the first tool surface is cooled.
• 16. The method of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface comprises a first tool part having a first tool face and a second tool part having the second tool face , are cooled, and that the first tool surface is heated.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been explained in the foregoing description of the disclosure, it should be noted that a vast number of variations exist. It should be further noted that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, application, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with access to implementing the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood that various changes in the function and arrangement of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments may be made without departing from the subject matter of the disclosure which is to be continued with the appended claims.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6302437 [0004]

Claims (10)

A method of making an inflatable interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: Preparing a mold having a first tool surface and a second tool surface such that the first tool surface is at a temperature different from the temperature of the second tool surface; Inserting a mold material into the mold; Transferring the mold to a closed state such that the tool surfaces define a substantially closed cavity in the mold; and Forming an inflatable liner by rotating the molding tool to cover the tooling surface of the substantially closed cavity with the molding material, forming a portion of an outer liner on the first tooling surface and forming a portion of an inflatable bladder on the second tooling surface and the portion the outer cover has a stiffness that is greater than a bladder part stiffness and the portion of the outer cover is integrally coupled with the portion of the inflatable bladder. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting a mold material into the mold comprises inserting the mold material onto the first tool surface. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool face and a second tool face comprises the first tool face being at a temperature different from a temperature of the second tool face, preparing the molding tool so comprises that the first tool surface has a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the second tool surface. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein forming an inflatable interior trim by rotating the mold to cover the mold surfaces of the substantially closed cavity with the mold material further comprises solidifying a portion of the mold material against the first tool surface prior to rotating of the mold to form a first solidified molded material. The method of Example 4, wherein the first solidified shaped material has a flexural modulus of about 800 to about 1300 MPa or more than 1300 MPa at 23 ° C. The method of Example 4 or 5, wherein the portion of the outer liner comprises the first solidified shaped material. The method of claim 1, wherein forming an inflatable interior trim by rotating the mold to cover the mold surfaces of the substantially closed cavity with the mold material further comprises, during rotation of the mold, forming a portion of the mold material is solidified on the second tool face to form a second solidified shaped material having a flexural modulus of from about 1 to about 500 MPa at 23 ° C; and wherein the second consolidated molded material has a maximum elongation of from about 25% to about 500% at 23 °. The method of claim 7, wherein the portion of the inflatable bladder comprises the second consolidated molded material. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduction of the molding material comprises: Depositing the molding material as a slurry; and or Depositing a molding material comprising a crosslinkable polymeric precursor and a hardener. The method of claim 1, wherein preparing a mold having a first tool face and a second tool face comprises the first tool face being at a temperature different from a temperature of the second tool face, and further comprising: - cooling the first tool surface relative to the second tool surface; and or Heating the first tool surface relative to the second tool surface; and or Cooling a first tool part having the first tool face, and heating a second tool part having the second tool face; and or Heating a first tool part having the first tool face and a second tool part having the second tool face and cooling the first tool face; and or Cooling a first tool part having the first tool face and a second tool part having the second tool face, and heating the first tool face.

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